Is the electromagnetic field quantized?

In summary, the electromagnetic field of a particle is not quantized in terms of its presence or absence. However, the field's energy is quantized into quanta called photons. The force between two electromagnetic particles may change in discrete values depending on their distance, but the field itself remains continuous. The Coulomb force between charged particles is described by the derivative of the binding energy, which is quantized, but this does not necessarily mean that the force itself is quantized.
  • #1
Hernik
108
2
Hi!

I'm not a physicist. Just trying to get a feeling og matter, space and time without having to do the math (How DO you understand it?!?) Still I have a question.

Is the electromagnetic field of a particle quantized - except for either being there og not being there? Does - for example - the force between two electromagnetic particles that are moved closer change in discreete values?

Hope the question is understandable.

Thanks, Henrik.
 
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  • #2
The field's energy is quantized into quanta called photons. As for the field itself, it's a bit tricky I think. The electric and magnetic fields are observables of the quantum electromagnetic field but they are not the eigenvalues of the field's states. The fields are described by the scalar and vector potentials. So in that sense, while the energy is quantized, the field's electric and magnetic amplitudes can vary though I would expect that their means would be quantized in accordance with the quantization of the potentials and energy.
 
  • #3
Hernik said:
Hi!



Is the electromagnetic field of a particle quantized - except for either being there og not being there? Does - for example - the force between two electromagnetic particles that are moved closer change in discreete values?


Short answer: no, the field is continuous.
 
  • #4
The Coulomb force between an electron and a proton, or between any two oppositely charged particles is such that there are only discrete bound states allowed, given by the solutions to either the Dirac equation or Schrodingers equation. The radial force is the derivative of the binding energy W: dW/dr = F(r), so if W(r) is quantized, does this mean that the force is quantized?
Bob S
 
  • #5
After Bob's answer, it's worth repeating "Short answer: no, the field is continuous. "
 

1. What does it mean for an electromagnetic field to be quantized?

Quantization refers to the idea that the electromagnetic field, which is made up of waves of energy, can only exist in discrete packets or units called photons. This means that the energy of the field is not continuous, but rather comes in specific amounts.

2. How was it discovered that the electromagnetic field is quantized?

The concept of quantization was first introduced by Max Planck in 1900 to explain the behavior of blackbody radiation. Later, in 1905, Albert Einstein used this idea to explain the photoelectric effect, which showed that light behaves as both a wave and a particle. This led to the understanding that the electromagnetic field is quantized in the form of photons.

3. What is the significance of the electromagnetic field being quantized?

The quantization of the electromagnetic field has profound implications in the field of quantum mechanics. It helps to explain numerous phenomena, such as the behavior of atoms, the properties of light and matter, and the interactions between them. It also forms the basis for technologies such as lasers, solar cells, and transistors.

4. Can the quantization of the electromagnetic field be observed?

Yes, the quantization of the electromagnetic field can be observed through various experiments, such as the double-slit experiment, which shows the wave-like behavior of photons, and the photoelectric effect, which demonstrates the particle-like nature of light. Additionally, technologies like scanning tunneling microscopes and atomic force microscopes rely on the quantization of the electromagnetic field to function.

5. Is the quantization of the electromagnetic field accepted by all scientists?

Yes, the concept of the quantization of the electromagnetic field is widely accepted by scientists. It has been extensively tested and confirmed through experiments and is a fundamental principle in modern physics. However, there are still ongoing debates and research surrounding the exact nature of the quantization of the electromagnetic field and its relation to other theories, such as gravity.

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